Impressive enough that the Football Writer’s Association of America on Monday named him one of nine finalists for the Eddie Robinson Award, symbolic of the national college football Coach of the Year.

Doeren earned his spot among the nation’s elite by leading Northern Illinois to a 12-1 record and its second straight Mid America Conference championship before being hired by the Wolfpack this weekend.

New N.C. State coach Dave Doeren

The Huskies were selected to play Florida State in the Orange Bowl on New Year’s Day.

Joining Doeren as Robinson Award finalists are some of the biggest names in the sport – including Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly, Ohio State’s Urban Meyer, Florida’s Will Muschamp and Penn State’s Bill O’Brien.

The winning coach will be announced on Thursday, Dec. 13 and honored at a ceremony in Fort Lauderdale, Fla, in conjunction with the BCS championship game on Jan. 6.